Charley Ellis on How America Actually Got Built (Investing in America Series) | #633

My guest today is Charles Ellis, founder of Greenwich Associates, longtime member of Yale’s investment committee, and author of more than 20 books, including the classic Winning the Loser’s Game. In today’s episode, Charley reflects on writing the first major book on share repurchases 50 years ago, when the idea was so foreign that Goldman mailed it to 1,000 corporations as a “legitimizer.” Charley also walks us through his new book, Great American Investments: A History of the Bold Initiatives that Shaped a Nation, covering 14 audacious public investments from the Louisiana Purchase to the Marshall Plan. He explains how each came down to one or two obsessed individuals, why Alaska turned out to be the bargain of the century, and how Frances Perkins muscled Social Security into law. As the episode winds down, he shares the lunch with Sandy Gottesman in the early 1970s that led him to buy Berkshire Hathaway at $700 a share — and hold it ever since.

William Goetzmann: From Babylon to Bubbles — A 5,000-Year History of Finance | #632

Today’s guest is Will Goetzmann, Professor of Finance at the Yale School of Management. He is an expert on financial markets and securities, investment strategies, investor behavior and financial history. In today’s episode, Professor Goetzmann walks through 5,000 years of financial history, showing how finance shaped trade, cities, corporations, and investing. He covers the first compound interest calculation, the world’s oldest corporations and bonds, and historic bubbles from tulips to NFTs. To close, he explains why markets have repeatedly adapted through war, crisis, and uncertainty.

Meb Faber: Warren Buffett Didn't Follow His Own Advice | #631

While in Omaha for Berkshire week, Meb hopped on another podcast as a guest. It was a fun one, so we're releasing it here as well. In today's episode, Meb Faber makes the case against home country bias, pointing to Korea's near-triple and Japan's decades-long round trip as reminders that cycles always turn. He explains why shareholder yield tells a truer story than dividends, why there are now more ETFs than stocks, and why tax alpha matters more than chasing returns. To close, Meb reflects on multi-decade compounding — and the mistakes that quietly take investors out of the game.

Tom Lee: The Market Can Climb Higher—But Expect Turbulence | #630

Today’s guest is Tom Lee, CIO of Fundstrat Capital, PM for the Granny Shots U.S. Large Cap ETF, and the Head of Research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. Prior to co-founding Fundstrat, he served as J.P. Morgan’s Chief Equity Strategist from 2007 to 2014. In today’s episode, Tom explains why stocks have remained resilient despite war, higher oil prices, and widespread investor skepticism. He shares his outlook for the S&P 500 and discusses the coming wave of mega-IPOs. Finally, Tom covers his successful entrance into the ETF space with the Fundstrat Granny Shots ETFs.

Why Bonds Are Back: PIMCO’s Marc Seidner on the Best Fixed Income Setup in Years | #629

Today’s guest is Marc Seidner, PIMCO’s CIO of Non-traditional Strategies. He is also a generalist portfolio manager and a member of the Investment Committee. In today’s episode, Marc explores why the investing landscape has changed from one led by economics to one increasingly shaped by politics and geopolitics. He explains why bonds may offer one of the most compelling opportunities in years, while private credit continues to show stress. He also touches on the K-shape economy and why real assets may help portfolios withstand a more uncertain world.

Dividend Myths That Distort Markets (w/ Sam Hartzmark) | #628

Today’s guest is Samuel Hartzmark, a finance professor at Boston College. In today’s episode, Sam explores why dividends are so often misunderstood by investors. He explains the “free dividends fallacy” and how it can lead to inflated valuations and price dislocations. He also examines the tradeoffs between dividends and buybacks and how payout policies influence investor behavior. To close, Sam briefly touches on his research on prediction markets and ESG.

Will Guidara on The ROI of Unreasonable Hospitality | #627

Today’s guest is Will Guidara, author of the New York Times Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality and former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which was named the Best Restaurant in the World. He is a Co-Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series The Bear. His new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide comes out this month. In today’s episode, Will discusses how unreasonable hospitality can turn routine service into memorable human connection. He explains why unreasonable hospitality is less about grand gestures and more about intentionality, creativity, and empowering teams to take ownership of memorable customer experiences. To close, Will shares how small acts of care can transform relationships, culture, and loyalty across financial services.

Software Winners & Losers in the Age of AI (w/Alex Rubalcava & Paul Bricault) | #626

Today’s guests are Alex Rubalcava and Paul Bricault of Amplify.LA, a pre-seed venture capital firm. In today’s episode, Alex and Paul break down the opportunities and challenges AI is creating for both startups and investors. They discuss the changing economics of software, what makes an AI company defensible, where investors are finding opportunity in frontier sectors, and why speed matters more than ever in early-stage investing. To close, they explore startup pivots and the tax advantages of QSBS.

Liquid Private Equity & Volatility Laundering (Owen Lamont & Randy Cohen) | #625

Today’s guests are Owen Lamont, a Portfolio Manager at Acadian Asset Management, and Randy Cohen, a finance and entrepreneurship professor at Harvard Business School and co-founder of PEO Partners, which is a leader in the emerging liquid Private Equity alternatives space. In today’s episode, Owen Lamont and Randy Cohen begin with a deep dive into private equity, how to model it in public markets, and why investors are searching for liquid ways to access private-market-like returns. They challenge common views on concentration, market valuations, and explain how investors should think about bubbles and technological change. They also discuss whether the US stock market is Koreafying and the long-term forces that could shape the investing landscape.

The King of Coins & Collectibles - Van Simmons | #624

In today’s episode, Van explores the evolution of the rare coin and collectables market, how grading transformed collectibles into an institutional-quality asset class, and why high-grade coins may be undervalued today. He discusses supply dynamics, the historical link between currency, gold, and collectibles, and how technology and AI are reshaping authentication and valuation. To close, Van explains why rare coins remain a compelling way to preserve wealth and build a lasting legacy.

The Geopolitical Shock Playbook (Mike Wilson, Morgan Stanley) | #623

My guest today is Mike Wilson, Morgan Stanley’s Chief U.S. Equity Strategist and Chief Investment Officer. In today’s episode, Mike Wilson explains how a rolling recession has given way to a staggered recovery, and why he expects leadership to broaden beyond mega-cap stocks into small caps, cyclicals, and international markets. He highlights growing risks from AI disruption, private credit weakness, and the Iran conflict. To close, Mike discusses a shift beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio toward a more flexible 60/20/20 approach that includes assets like gold.

The Tax Alpha Arms Race (w/ Wes Gray & Brent Sullivan) | #622

Today’s guests are Wes Gray, Co-CIO of Alpha Architect, and Brent Sullivan, Editor of Tax Alpha Insider, which is the only publication focused on taxable portfolio strategy. In today’s episode, Brent Sullivan and Wes Gray discuss how to handle concentrated stock positions. They explore the complexities around 351 ETF exchanges, what investors need to know when participating to adhere to tax laws. To close, they examine the rise of tax-managed long-short strategies and how AI may transform tax planning and portfolio management.

Inside Goldman Sachs’ Alternatives Playbook (w/ Kristin Olson) | #621

My guest today is Kristin Olson, Global Head of Alternatives for Wealth at Goldman Sachs. Last year she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in US Finance by Barron’s. In today’s episode, Kristin discusses the explosive growth of the alternatives market over the past decade. She explains what has driven interest from individual investors, particularly millennials, and touches on recent volatility within software and private credit BDCs. Finally, she shares her expectations for the 2026 IPO market, the potential for renewed interest in hedge funds, and how AI is set to reshape sourcing, underwriting, and portfolio construction.

Aswath Damodaran on The AI Spending Spree: Bubble, Boom, or Both? | #619

My guest today is Aswath Damodaran, a professor at NYU, where he teaches corporate finance and equity valuation. In today’s episode, Professor Damodaran explains why he trimmed two Magnificent Seven stocks. He digs into AI’s real impact on valuations and moats, why big software incumbents face an Innovator’s Dilemma, and why the biggest risk isn’t tech spending itself, but overconfidence and debt-fueled capex that could ripple beyond tech. He also weighs in on corporate Bitcoin balance sheets, sports franchises as “trophy assets” driven by billionaire demand rather than cash flows, and the rise of prediction markets.

200 Years of Markets in 60 Minutes (Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid) | #618

Today’s guest is Jim Reid, Global Head of Macro Research at Deutsche Bank. In today’s episode, Jim walks through lessons from his annual report, The Ultimate Guide to Long-Term Investing, which covers over 200 years of market data from 56 countries. He explains why cash is one of the riskiest long-term assets, how inflation quietly destroys wealth, and why valuation is the single most reliable predictor of long-term returns. He also discusses how fiat money has reshaped bonds, gold, and equities since 1971.  To close, Jim reminds us that history consistently rewards investors who buy cheap, diversify globally, and respect long-term market cycles.

Dan Rasmussen & D.A. Wallach on Biotech’s Surge, China, IPOs, US Valuations & Japan | #617

Today’s returning guests are Dan Rasmussen, founder of Verdad Advisers, and D.A. Wallach, a venture capital investor for Time BioVentures. In today’s episode, we unpack the recent biotech surge through the lens of Dan’s recently published biotech report. We also explore China’s growing biotech market, shifting IPO and VC trends, and how valuation tools like CAPE fit into today’s regime. Finally, we also discuss technology’s effect on productivity and corporate profits in the US, Japan’s economic anomaly, home country bias, and more.

Radio Show: Meb on Markets at Extremes, Anything BUT Market Cap, and Embracing Volatility | #616

In today’s radio show, Meb breaks down why market-cap–weighted investing may be nearing its limits after an extraordinary run in U.S. stocks. He explores CAPE ratios near historic extremes, the quiet resurgence of gold and commodities, and why equal weight, value, and global markets are suddenly back in the conversation. To close, Meb explains how trend following and real assets can help investors navigate regime shifts. Note: this was recorded on January 29, 2026.

Russell Napier: Financial Repression Is Back — And Investors Aren’t Ready | #615

My guest today is Russell Napier, an independent financial market strategist, financial historian, and author of The Solid Ground investment report. In 2014, he founded the charitable venture The Library of Mistakes — a free-to-use library of financial history. In today’s episode, Russell explains why investors are asking the wrong questions at a critical turning point in financial history. He how financial repression, shifting monetary regimes, and political priorities are reshaping capital markets. To close, he explains the dangers of yield chasing, why technology won’t defeat inflation, and why gold may be signaling what comes next.

Richard Bernstein - The Case for Dividends in a Bubble Era | #614

Today’s guest is Richard Bernstein, Chief Investment Officer of Richard Bernstein Advisors, which he founded in 2009. He was previously the Chief Investment Strategist at Merrill Lynch. In today’s episode, Richard argues that the market is defined by rampant speculation and extreme narrowness. He explains why he’s bullish on both dividend-paying and international stocks and believes crypto is the first global investment bubble. To close, he warns that corporate credit is priced for perfection, inflation risks aren’t gone, and diversification is the best defense in a bubble-prone market.

Marc Faber on Democracy, Debt, and Surviving the Next Market Regime | #613

My guest today is Marc Faber, editor of the “Gloom Boom & Doom Report.” In today’s episode, Marc Faber explores the unpredictable nature of financial markets, the resurgence of precious metals, and how money printing has fueled economic inequality. He argues that bonds are currently under-owned and may offer opportunity, and explains why emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam deserve consideration. To close, Marc underscores the importance of diversification in an increasingly uncertain world.